Current Developments in Controlled Release Fertilisers

Keywords: controlled release fertilisers, horticulture, coated fertiliser, nutrient release, degradation of coating.

Since their invention in the 1960s, sulphur and polymer coated controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) have found increased use in horticulture, turf and landscaping applications. Agricultural use of CRFs has been limited because of their higher price compared to conventional uncoated fertilisers. Environmental concerns and legislative measures have stimulated research to improve the efficiency of agricultural fertilisers. CRFs can provide certain benefits such as reduction of fertiliser losses to air, water and soil as well as efficient application methods that match the release of the nutrients to the plants’ needs. Current developments in CRF technology are aiming to accommodate different nutrients, improve the cost equation and increase the rate of mineralisation of the coating in the soil.

J.G.A. Terlingen, S. Radersma, G.J.J. Out, J. Hernández-Martínez and P.C.Raemakers-Franken, ICL- Specialty Fertilisers, Everris International BV, Nijverheidsweg 1-5, 6422 PD Heerlen, The Netherlands

21 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, 1 plate, 22 references